Lesson Learned

Generation Relaying – Underfrequency Protection Coordination

Primary Interest Groups
Generation Owners (GOs)

Problem Statement
During a bulk power system (BPS) event, system frequency dipped below the auxiliary equipment relay
frequency protection setting at a generating plant, causing auxiliary equipment to trip. This resulted in the
loss of two generating units, which contributed to a significant load-loss event.

Details
A frequency protective relay scheme was installed on a generating plant’s auxiliary equipment, which
enabled under- and overfrequency element trip schemes on the equipment feeders. The associated
feeders’ underfrequency protection scheme was set to trip auxiliary equipment if the frequency was 59.5
Hz or less for two seconds. These underfrequency relay trip settings were installed on the system
unnecessarily and weren’t coordinated with the generators relay trip settings. A disturbance on the system
caused the frequency to decline, and the new medium-voltage equipment relay schemes tripped out the
boilers and turbines, which resulted in two generators tripping.

Corrective Actions
The frequency relay trip settings on the auxiliary equipment feeder relays were determined to be
unnecessary and were removed. All existing settings associated with the auxiliary equipment at the plant
were reviewed to ensure no other unintended trip settings or coordination issues existed.

Lessons Learned
Unintended generator tripping during an underfrequency event can exacerbate the condition.

To ensure reliable generator operation:

 Generator relay protection should be coordinated with all auxiliary power system relaying with
specific regard to time-delay settings.
 Auxiliary equipment should be checked to ensure its protection and controls do not unnecessarily
limit the generator.
 Before placing new equipment in service, a thorough review should be done of all electrical
equipment, with particular attention to relay settings.

NERC’s goal with publishing lessons learned is to provide industry with technical and understandable
information that assists them with maintaining the reliability of the bulk power system. NERC requests that
you provide input on this lesson learned by taking the short survey provided in the link below.
 Click here for: Lesson Learned Comment Form

For more Information please contact:

NERC – Lessons Learned (via email) Jacquie Smith (via email) or (303) 247-3067
Source of Lesson Learned: ReliabilityFirst
Lesson Learned #: 20140601
Date Published: June 19, 2014
Category: Relaying and Protection Systems

This document is designed to convey lessons learned from NERC’s various activities. It is not intended to establish new requirements under NERC’s
Reliability Standards or to modify the requirements in any existing Reliability Standards. Compliance will continue to be determined based on
language in the NERC Reliability Standards as they may be amended from time to time. Implementation of this lesson learned is not a substitute
for compliance with requirements in NERC’s Reliability Standards.

Lesson Learned – Generation Relaying – Underfrequency Protection Coordination 2